GDHQNBA15_2pg-Washington Wizards

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EASTERN CONFERENCE
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
Washington
The Washington Wizards went five years without qualifying for a berth
in the playoffs and nearly a decade without advancing once they did. So
it was understandable why basketball fans in nation’s capital went wild
when the team did both last season and why they’ve set expectations
sky-high heading into the 2014-15 season.
The Wizards bring back one of the NBA’s most exciting young
backcourts, in explosive point guard John Wall (24) and his perfect
complement, Bradley Beal (21), a pair of versatile 6-11 bigs in Marcin
Gortat and Nene up front, and a deeper bench than 2013-14.
The offseason signings of veteran free-agent guard Paul Pierce and
forwards DeJuan Blair and Kris Humphries make it clear that Coach
Randy Wittman, re-signed for three years during the summer, and
GM Ernie Grunfeld are thinking big—as in a Southeast Division title,
homecourt advantage and a long playoff run.
Defense
Washington defended very well last season, holding teams to 99.4
ppg, tied for eighth in the League with New York. They were especially
solid in the paint, where the 6-11 Gortat, acquired just prior to the 2013-
14 season, took root. The 30-year-old, seven-year veteran, had one
of his best seasons, ranking ninth in the League in rebounds, defensive
rebounds and blocks, and was in the top 15 in both blocks per game
and rebounds per game. He came on especially strong in the second
half, pulling in 10.8 rebounds in the second half.
The Wizards similarly had a strong second half, going 19-10 and
holding opponents to 99.2 ppg, down from 99.5 in the first half. While
that 0.3 may not seem like much, Washington’s ability to push opponents
away from the century mark was huge, as the Wizards were 30-12 when
holding opponents below 100
points, 14-26 when they did not.
Wittman had his team committed
to attacking the defensive glass,
as opponents pulled in the fourthfewest
offensive rebounds. The
Wizards believe the acquisition of
Blair and Humphries will add depth
up front and will look for another
solid season out of 33-year-old
Drew Gooden, in his 13th season,
and continued development from
2013 first-round pick (third overall
pick) Otto Porter, who has showed
signs of rebounding from his
tough rookie year by grabbing 4.1
rebounds and making 1.6 steals in
only 27 minutes of action during
the preseason.
Washington loses a little bit at
the three defensively, as Pierce is
not the defender Trevor Ariza is,
but Pierce can only be exploited if
opposing guards can get the ball
into his hands.
Wall, one of the best on-ball
defenders in the game, will make
that difficult. His quick hands
helped him finish fourth in the
League in steals last season (149)
and eighth in steals per game (1.8 spg). Wall wasn’t the only lightfingered
Wizard, as the team was sixth in the East and 11th in the
League in steals.
Washington will miss starting shooting guard Bradley Beal and Martell
Webster, both recovering from injuries. The likely starter at the two will
be former Georgia Tech guard Glen Rice, Jr. Rice can be a tough matchup,
as he’s a lanky 6-6, with long arms and is a solid defender. The 6-8
Porter also showed he can be counted on as a lockdown defender.
Offense
Washington finished 15th in the NBA in 2013-14, scoring 100.7 ppg,
a tick below the 101 League average. That was good enough to rank
fourth in the East, although, oddly, still was no better than third in the
Southeast behind Miami and Atlanta.
The Wizards should rise above the League average and blow past
every team in the division. It just might take time to get things to
get going. How long depends on how long Beal needs to rehab his
fractured left wrist and get back into game shape. Wall still will be
the catalyst for the high-octane attack. The four-year veteran point
John Wall
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